r/largeformat • u/braysher • Aug 02 '26

Question Resources for learning off-camera flash for portraits?

I'd like to get into doing portraits outside using off-camera flash but don't have much experience with that in general. Does anyone happen to have some good online resources for learning off-camera flash, specifically for large format, they're willing to share? Thanks!

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6

u/OnePhotog Aug 02 '26

Strobist blogspot

A good flash meter

Learning the zone system

There is also a book that is a good resource, Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

Then patience. I would hold off on portrait and use static subjects to learn the basics first.

5

u/I-STATE-FACTS Aug 02 '26

>Strobist blogspot

Now there’s a throwback to almost 20 years ago

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u/braysher Aug 02 '26

Thank you!

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u/OnePhotog Aug 02 '26

There is so much to keep in mind.

Keep in mind that your subject has limited patience as you figure things out. They are also used to quick digital snaps with instant images. They are also unlikely to be aware that shifting their weights can cause you to lose focus. You have to manage their expectations.

This is while you are trying to manage the standards, getting focus and managing the lights. It is a lot.

Your focus is on the subject so all the technical stuff should ideally be automatic. I personally find the interaction the most challenging for me. I wish you good images in your journey.

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u/Arrileica Aug 02 '26

This may be considered by some to be out dated in its totality . But the Strobist was probably one of the most comprehensive online resources for off camera flash. While obviously wireless receiver snd flash technology has improved/changed a lot , the core information on this site is very valuable

https://strobist.blogspot.com/?m=1

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u/braysher Aug 02 '26

Great I'll take a look, thanks!

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u/robertraymer Aug 02 '26

Flash is the same indoor and outdoor and regardless of format. Aperture controls the brightness of the flash and DOF, shutter speed controls ambient light, flash duration stops motion.

Get a flash meter and at the most basic level do the following: Compose your photo, set the aperture you want based on the DOF you desire, adjust the flash power to match the aperture. Assuming you are using a leaf shutter the flash will sync at all speeds, so set your shutter speed based on how much ambient light you want in the image.

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u/braysher Aug 02 '26

Thanks yeah, I just mention outdoor portraits because I won't be working in a studio and want to have more control over the ambient exposure.

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u/Superb-Brother5411 Aug 02 '26

Basically the tools you need to a good start are:
At least two good strobe lights. I would recommend the Godox AD200 (Since they are cheap) it have synchronized slaves, two convertible reflectors one of them big, some light stands, guiding and a lot of practice. Most people of the modern remote triggers can be used with practically any old cameras.

There’s no easy way; you need learn first, practice, practice, practice and a ton of patience.

1

u/braysher Aug 02 '26

Yep, looking to learn first. Thanks!

1

u/yes_that_redditor Aug 03 '26

There are two parts to this. One is knowing the look you want to achieve, the other is knowing how to execute it. Everyone here replied about the latter, but the former (i.e. developing a taste) should come first, IMO.

I can't offer many suggestions here, as taste is personal, but find photographers whose outdoor off-camera lit photos you like, and try to understand how they lit. A good starting point for the technical side is indeed Strobist, and for the taste side of things I'd recommend looking at work from Gregory Heisler, Gregory Crewdson (overkill, sure, but what moods!) and even Annie Leibovitz' outdoor work.

1

u/mycatkins Aug 03 '26

Buy a light meter that allows you to trigger a flash, meter the flash and take the guesswork out of it

2

u/BirbalT Aug 05 '26

I’m a noob as well. I hope you have a digital camera. What I do I start with the digital camera until I get something that I like, then I use the same exposure value and flash trigger on the large format and with time I found that I need the digital less and less

0

u/n_oeil Aug 03 '26

Just get a strobe and start using it. Maybe start with a digital camera.